Malawi’s Joyce Banda in final 5 for Forbes Africa Person of the Year award

Malawi President Mrs Joyce Banda has made it into the top five candidates list for Forbes Africa Person of the Year title.

The winner of this award would have had an influence on the events of the year gone by on the African continent.

According to highly rated Forbes Magazine, President Banda has restored strained diplomatic ties with neighbors and the international community.

“ Her administration has embraced investor-friendly economic policies: she cut her salary by 30%; is selling the presidential jet and a fleet of luxury cars in an austerity drive.”

President Banda: Nominated for the Forbes title

However, the Malawi states woman to claim the title she will needvotes. Voting is taking place onhttp://www.forbesafrica.com/events/poy.html. Voting closes on Thursday, 1 November 2012 and the winner will revealed at an event in Nigeria.

Another contender for the title is Nigerian Aliko Dangote: founder and president of Dangote Group, Africa’s richest man, worth more $11.2 billion.

The finalists also include Dr James Mwangi, CEO of Kenya’s Equity Bank Limited; Tony Elumelu who is founder and chairman of Heirs Holding; Stephen Saad, the co-founder of the Aspen Pharmacare.

According to Forbes, these individuals were nominated by its readers because of their impact on African business in the past year.

Earlier, President Banda was ranked the most powerful woman in Africa by Forbes magazine’s annual survey.

Forbes website noted that President Banda – who became southern Africa’s first woman leader in April 2012 after the death of president Bingu wa Mutharika- “ has continued to stay fast to her convictions” on brave reforms.